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"Captain, when are we finally going to get there?"
Fred's half-dead voice sounded from behind Harry. It had already been a full seven days since they set sail. Sure, the ship had everything they could want to eat, drink, and play, and this magically-constructed sailboat was even more luxurious than most private yachts. But after the initial excitement faded, the endless sea started to give everyone an inexplicable sense of boredom and solitude.
Of course, the real problem was that the ship's TV stopped working on the third day!
Unlike a simple radio, Harry's 21-inch color TV was far more delicate. Even without any magical barriers on the boat, having a bunch of energetic young wizards crowded around it was bound to take a toll. Wizards under seventeen are in a period of rapid magical growth. Their magical energy is much more volatile than that of adult wizards, which is why young wizards often cause mishaps when they get emotional. Playing games or watching someone else play was enough to make their magic surge with excitement, and with no magical adjustments, the fact that the TV lasted three days was quite impressive.
The AK-47 electromagnetic rifle Harry had won in a hunt was still safely stored at the Dursleys' house. Without learning how to properly modify it, he wasn't keen on handling it too much. While electronic equipment affected by magical fields can recover over time once it's away from wizards, Harry didn't want to take any chances. That limited-edition AK-47 was incredibly valuable to him, and in his vision, when he moved on to Phase Two of Animagus training, it would play a key role in his alchemical armor.
Following the old path of wizards was never Harry's style. Magitech—a fusion of magic and technology—was something that countless magical nations had researched. The reason it hadn't become public knowledge was likely due to its technical complexity. Science and magic are completely different realms: one materialistic, the other idealistic. Successfully combining them is easier said than done.
On a superficial level, "fusion" isn't that difficult. Hagrid's enchanted fist, which could punch through a magical creature's armor, is one example. But establishing a deep, lasting connection between them is a challenge. Magic, which can bend the laws of physics, doesn't hold back in altering reality, often causing invisible, unobservable disruptions—a "power struggle" on the level of physical laws.
When magic declares, "Let there be light," a Lumos spell creates a small orb of light, illuminating a five-meter radius. However, outside this range, the light's drop-off is much sharper than normal. Magic supplies just enough power for those five meters, and beyond that, its influence wanes dramatically, leading to the bizarre "light decay" effect.
With the TV broken, the young wizards, bored and lethargic, found little solace in traditional wizard games like Wizard's Chess and Exploding Snap after experiencing the addictive draw of video games. Going from luxury to simplicity is hard, as they were quickly realizing.
"Maybe tomorrow," Harry offered.
"You said that yesterday, Captain," George added, giving him a pitiful look.
"And what am I supposed to say?" Harry rolled his eyes. "I only know Paradise Island is somewhere in the Atlantic, and Professor Grindelwald didn't even give me a map. Who am I supposed to ask for directions?"
"Ohhh…"
"Right…"
The twins sighed in resignation, though they didn't really doubt they would find Paradise Island. Perhaps it would be impossible for Muggles, but they were wizards, after all.
"Lead me there."
Harry placed the white ivory in his hand, his finger resting through the trigger guard. After reciting an incantation, the ivory spun a few times before the barrel pointed straight ahead.
"We're on the right course. Paradise Island lies straight ahead, but exactly how far—hm?"
As if noticing something, Harry suddenly stomped on the deck, shattering the boards beneath him as he leaped up ten meters, climbing the mast in a few swift movements to reach the top.
A small black dot appeared on the horizon. In the vast, empty sea, this tiny dot was remarkably conspicuous.
"Everyone, assemble!"
At Harry's call, everyone dropped what they were doing and, within seconds, rushed from various spots on the boat to line up in a row of six on the deck. They stood at attention with military precision, contrasting sharply with the looser formations of English soldiers. These young wizards, trained for only a few months, were beginning to look like a disciplined army.
"At ease," Harry instructed.
"Ahead lies an island; we're nearly at our destination."
Everyone's eyes lit up at the news. As much as they enjoyed the voyage, they were eager to feel solid ground beneath their feet.
"Get changed, check your equipment, inventory supplies, and assemble on deck in five minutes. I'll brief you on some of the details about Paradise Island."
"The laid-back part of this journey is over. Since this is a team exercise, let's start acting like a team—whether here or in our future Quidditch matches."
"Alright, dismissed."
The group dispersed in an orderly fashion, heading back to their quarters. The squad had a standard uniform: a tactical outfit custom-made by Madam Malkin, perfect for outdoor activities. It included holsters, small undetectable extension bags, medical kits, tool kits, and more. Thanks to magic, wizards didn't need to lug around loads of gear; the Undetectable Extension Charm made traveling light easy.
Around each member's neck hung a chain with a dog tag-like charm, which served as a Portkey. This could transport them instantly back to England—specifically, to Professor McGonagall's backyard in Hogsmeade. If anything went wrong, the young wizards could reach someone for help right away.
Harry never fought an unprepared battle. Even for a team-building exercise, he ensured every contingency was covered.
"Paradise Island," Harry began, "according to Professor Grindelwald, was once a small battleground. Over two hundred years ago, a cult of dark wizards performed a black magic ritual here. They kidnapped thousands of Muggles and several wizards for a blood sacrifice, aiming to create a new portal to the Abyss using the power of death and despair."
"They succeeded, but only partially. The magical world has a dedicated Inquisition tasked with monitoring and dealing with such incidents. However, just moments before the Inquisition arrived, a powerful force shattered the newly formed portal."
"Paradise Island is not a deserted place. Ancient wizards left magical relics here. The cult used the island's existing magical barrier to conceal the portal's magical aura, but the spatial rift they opened triggered the relic's defense mechanisms. Residual magic within the relic erupted, destroying the forming rift."
"The magical energy that erupted came from a statue located at the island's center. The statue resembles an angel with wings, and ever since that incident, this nameless island has been called Paradise Island."
"When we arrive, we'll begin a series of outdoor training sessions. I'll also gradually teach you how to refine your magical energy and use it to strengthen your bodies."
"I promise, the next month will be tedious and painful. But I hope you'll join me in this period of self-discipline and mental fortification. Beautiful flowers can't bloom without enduring the elements. We are knights soaring through the sky; Quidditch is one of our battlefields. We can't pray for sunshine in every match, but we must be ready to soar in the storm."
"Alright, Knights! Mount your brooms! Leave the ship; let's move out!"
The island was now visible, just two or three nautical miles away. With Harry's command, over twenty figures simultaneously rose into the sky. As the magic sustaining the wooden sailboat dissipated, it quickly fell apart, reverting to a pile of loose planks—without magic, it was nothing but a heap of wood with no nails in sight.
The formation streaked across the sky, speeding toward the lush green island ahead. It was nearly noon, and the dense foliage shielded the ground from the sunlight. Beneath the vibrant canopy, dark shadows covered the land.
(End of chapter)